MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is cracking down on derelict boats abandoned off the coast of Madeira Beach.
- Pinellas deputies crack down on derelict boats off Madeira Beach
- Deputies warning owners to meet compliance or remove them
- Boat owners have five days to meet requirements
These derelict boats--or close to it--have become an eye sore along the Tom Stuart Causeway, and a safety hazard.
"You've got the people coming from inland out on the beach and that's one of the first things they see," Cpl. Charlie Tita with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.
Which is why the Pinellas County Marine Unit has been out tagging the boats, warning the owners they have just five days to get their boats in compliance or move them completely out of the water. If not, state statute allows the sheriff's office to do it for them.
The Unit said sometimes the owners live on board their boats. One man they came across said his boat was stuck in the mud, but was trying to get it out.
"He's been actively working on digging his boat out and he's got somebody that's helping him, so hopefully they can help Robert too," Tita said.
While the Unit shows compassion during instances like this, Cpl. Tita says the Marine Unit still has a job to do.
"These are their homes so we recognized that. But at the same time, there's a statute that has to be followed," he said.
One the sheriff's office plans to enforce down to the very last boat.
If the boat owners don't comply with the sheriff's office, the county will use funds designated by the state to pull the boats out of the water. The state attorney's office will then seek reimbursement through the court system.